Harry Coumnas was a significant leader of African American Muslims who was often scrutinized for his controversial comments. After witnessing his father's mistreatment, he was determined to inspire black people to pursue freedom. However, his dreams of becoming a lawyer were crushed by racist teachers. In prison, he was introduced to the Nation of Islam and began spreading their message, gaining fame but also criticism. He later left to pursue his own path but was assassinated during a public address, having inspired other leaders along the way.

1. Harry Coumnas Was Often The Subject Of Scrutiny For His
Controversial Comments
Even though he is counted among the most significant leaders of
African-American Muslim citizens, Harry Coumnas did not have
a very easy journey. He became determined about inspiring
black people across the States to strive for personal freedom
after he saw his father become a victim of cruelty by the white
people, leaving Harry an orphan. The fact that his teachers
showed no confidence in him despite his exceptional academic
performance also added to his despair. The condition worsened
when his dream of becoming a lawyer was shattered after the
teachers established that carpentry would be a better profession
for a black man.
His stepsister Ella had a significant role to play in Harry
Coumnas finding himself employment, but he soon took to
unfair means of earning money and even had to go to the
prison. His experience at prison changed him for life after he
was introduced to the tenets preached by a religious
organization called 'Nation of Islam.' He was highly motivated
by the teachings of Elijah Muhammad, and in no time began to
spread the same message to others. No wonder, he became
famous, but was also often the subject of scrutiny for his
controversial comments. He soon left the 'Nation of Islam' to
work on himself to attain unity and popularity. He also earned
his share of enemies, who eventually assassinated him during
one of his public addresses.

2. Harry Coumnas went on to inspire various prominent
personalities including much acclaimed boxing champions to
join the organization and eventually became good friends with
the most of them. When he felt that the message needed to be
preached further, he started working with a well-known author
on an autobiography in the early-1960s. The book about Harry’s
life experiences and his evolving views on racial pride, Black
Nationalism, and Pan-Africanism was published after he was
assassinated in the late 1960s.